A study conducted at UCLA revealed that 93% of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal communication (Heathfield). When interacting with each other, men and women can sense how it feels by noticing their actions. While men are generally known for their dominance and assertiveness in the workplace, women are more submissive and tend to feel intruded on by males (Heathfield). These stereotypes about the nonverbal communication of men and women can also be applied to flirting and dating. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay There are different types of nonverbal communication that men and women use to express their thoughts and emotions, which can vary across different contexts and genders. Understanding the various types of nonverbal communication is essential in everyday life, as it is the first thing people notice when interacting with others (Cherry). Facial expressions play an important role in reading someone, especially since it is the first thing we notice (Cherry). A smile is naturally associated with happiness, while a frown is typically thought of as disapproval and anger (Heathfield). Different facial expressions are illustrated using the eyes, eyebrows and mouth (Heathfield). While facial expressions are an important key to reading someone, body language and postures can say much more about someone than words (Cherry). For example, hunching over may be perceived as a sign of boredom, but a person who sits with a straight back may be labeled as attentive and interested (Heathfield). Eye contact is also one of the most powerful means of conveying a message (Cherry). The way one looks, blinks and stares at something can give a strong impression about what that person is thinking (Cherry). When someone encounters something they like, the frequency with which they blink increases and their pupils dilate (Cherry). Staring at someone, depending on how long you hold your gaze, can make them angry or attracted (Cherry). If someone is lying, they will typically start to move their gaze, while someone who is being truthful will maintain a fixed gaze (Cherry). Holding the gaze is considered a sign of dominance and avoiding it is typically a sign of submission (Riggio). Although eye contact is one of the most common uses of nonverbal communication, tactile sensation, more commonly called “touch,” can be used to indicate affection, familiarity, liking, or other emotions (Cherry). In Harry Harlow's monkey study, it was shown that private touch and contact of baby monkeys, raised by net mothers, experienced hindered development, which also caused permanent deficits in behavior and interaction social (Cherry). While everyone may perceive an individual's actions differently, some actions are generally more negative or positive than others. For example, hunching over, rolling your eyes, frowning and glaring are generally seen as negative by most people. Positive forms of nonverbal communication include sitting upright, constant eye contact, smiling and high-fiving (Cherry). All different types of nonverbal communication, whether same-sex or opposite-gender, can be used differently by men and women. Types of nonverbal communication are used differently between men and women. The personal space between the two is usually completely different. For example, men have a greater amount of personal space, which meansthat you need to get into their “bubble” a lot to intrude on them. A man's personal space is so large that when someone approaches him, it can cause excitement or discomfort (Riggio). Women, however, have a smaller amount of personal space, making it easier to feel like an intruder when an individual enters their environment. A woman's personal space is often invaded by men more than the other way around (Riggio). A man's posture is usually very spread out and tends to convey dominance and power. Women take up less space and keep their legs tightly together, which can convey submission. Men use these split positions because it is commonly known that a confident person will maintain a “forced” posture, while someone who is shy will usually be more confined (Riggio). Although men and women differ greatly in posture, contact between them can be complicated and misunderstood very easily (Riggio). When a dominant person touches someone, it can be an intrusion, especially if the action was unwanted. It is usually men who initiate contact and studies have shown that men walk with a woman side by side with their dominant hand next to her. It is uncommon for a woman to initiate contact, but when she does, it is typically seen by men as sexual interest; although a woman's touch is usually to show concern and nurture others (Riggio and Cherry). Although nonverbal communication differs between men and women, it also varies depending on the scenario in which it is used. Not only does nonverbal communication differ by gender, but it can also vary in different situations. In the workplace, the use of nonverbal communication is important because it can tell other employees and visitors what kind of employee someone is (Heathfield). For example, something as small as office furniture can be a form of nonverbal communication. When people enter an office, they will notice the position of the desk, the distance between the desk and the chairs, and whether any furniture separates one from other colleagues (Heathfield). The distance between desks and chairs is significant because most people appreciate a generous amount of physical space. Most people in the United States prefer at least 18 inches of space around others, while being too close can feel too intimate for a professional setting (Heathfield). Physical space can convey a lot about someone, but tone of voice, volume, inflections, and tone, known as paralinguistics, can be critical when speaking to clients and colleagues (Heathfield). When someone speaks, humans pay close attention to their tone. For example, if someone uses a strong tone, we associate it with approval or enthusiasm, but when they use a hesitant tone, it conveys disapproval or lack of interest (Cherry). As mentioned above, eye contact is an important indicator of someone who is trustworthy and has an interest (Heathfield). Not only is eye contact a huge sign of interest, so is an individual's posture (Heathfield). When an employee stands and has a sturdy posture, they are most likely more professional than an employee who shuffles around (Heathfield). The clothing an employee wears can also convey how they want others to see them. For example, someone wearing traditional suits and dresses will portray someone who is professional, trustworthy, and trustworthy. Women who go to work in low-cut blouses or dresses may appear as if they want others to find them "sexy" (Heathfield). While nonverbal communication is important at work, it is also crucial when dating and flirting. In an article by Brendan Lynch).
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